Gilbert R. Hart, D.M.D., F.A.G.D., was born in the Great Lakes Naval Center, Waukegan, IL, and raised in San Diego, California. He served in the United States Army from January 1967 - December 1969 as a medic and dental assistant, and was stationed at West Point, South Vietnam, and Ft. Monmouth, N.J. While in Vietnam, he served with the 44th Medical Brigade, assigned to the 137th Medical Detachment of the 9th Infantry Division. After his military service, Dr. Hart married Nancy Borus Hart, a dental hygienist, on August 1, 1970 in N.J. He returned to school to earn his B.S. degree in Microbiology in 1974 and his M.S. degree in Nutrition Science in 1976, both from San Diego State University. He then taught nutrition at San Diego State University and the San Diego Community College District.
Dr. Hart and his family moved to St. Louis in 1978 to attend Washington University’s School of Dental Medicine. He received his Doctorate of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) from Washington University in 1982. While beginning his private general practice in St. Louis, Dr. Hart also served as a clinical instructor at the Washington University School of Dental Medicine.
Dr. Hart had been a member of the Greater St. Louis Dental Society since 1982 and served three terms on the Board of Directors. He was a member of the Academy of General Dentistry and earned his Fellowship status in 1994. He served as a St. Louis Delegate to the House of Delegates of the Missouri Dental Association for many years, was a member of the Advisory Board to the St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, in the Dental Technologies Department, and had been a member of the Missouri Emergency Response Identification Team (M.E.R.I.T.) since its inception. In 2009, he served as president of the Washington University School of Dental Medicine Alumni Association and was inducted into the International College of Dentists in 2011. He and his office team participated in the St. Louis program for underprivileged children, “Give Kids a Smile!” and visited local schools to educate children about dental health.
His special interest in dentistry was the field of Cosmetic Dentistry. He felt it most rewarding and satisfying to improve an individual’s smile and self-esteem. He believed that a person who has great self-esteem is happier and a more productive member of society. Cosmetic Dentistry is an art form which requires the dentist to have special skills and a more specialized education in this field.
Dr. Gilbert R. Hart is survived by Nancy Hart, his wife of 49 years, their son, Christopher Hart, his wife, Cindy, daughter, Kelly Hart, as well as three granddaughters, Madison, Peyton, and Carley. Dr. Hart and Nancy practiced together from 1984 until 2016, promoting a strong sense of excellent quality dentistry, high standards, honesty, and professionalism to their patients and their families in a relaxed and comfortable environment. Time away from the office was spent with his family, as an Elder for Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, and he enjoyed golf and fishing!
Services: Memorial Service at the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road, Ballwin, Friday, August 23, 2019 at 11:30 a.m. Interment at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of St. Louis. Gilbert Hart was the third generation of Harts to be stricken with the disease. Memorial Visitation at the funeral home from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:30 a.m. Friends may sign the family’s on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.
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